If you are one of those who flee from express trips, marathon circuits and mass tourism, the province of Malaga offers you plenty of arguments to embrace slow travel. Or what is the same: get rid of the rush, integrate into the environment and live each experience with the five senses.
The possibilities are innumerable. From staying in a sixteenth century convent to enjoy typical gastronomy in an ancient coaching inn. In this land of affable people and captivating corners, you will find it easy to disconnect from stress.
Nature and relaxation
To relax, an ideal spot is the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park. In Benaojan and Jimera de Libar you can lose yourself in beautiful forests, spend the night in renovated windmills and even play golf in the countryside. And of course, taste the delicious sausages and cheeses elaborated in a traditional way, famous for their quality and flavour. Did you know that the sheep payoyo cheese from the Sierra de Grazalema was considered the third best in the world in the last edition of the World Cheese Awards?
Although if what you need is a retreat, stop by the Ahora Rural House in Cortes de la Frontera. Located between the Buitreras Canyon and the Guadiaro River, this peaceful resting place offers ecological dining services, massages and natural therapies. It is located near the charming Gaucin Station, which was built in 1892 by The Algeciras-Gibraltar Railway Company.
Endless car trips do not match the philosophy of slow travel. So one of the alternatives is to visit the Natural Park of the Montes de Malaga. Contemplating its forests and waterfalls is a delight, especially if you forget about your mobile phone.
In Ronda, taking advantage of the amenities of a hotel overlooking the Tajo, exploring the local culture with original activities, such as those offered by Entrelenguas, or relaxing in the Arab baths there are just some of the options to calmly rediscover the mountain capital.
The San Gabriel Hotel stands out for its careful decoration of noble style and its cosy atmosphere. It is a family house from the eighteenth century with paintings of the time and candelabra which includes a library and a small wine cellar with wines from the land.
Ronda also has a farmhouse converted into a tourist establishment belonging to Convivium Slow Food Malaga and a wide range of restaurants serving local cuisine. Do not go without trying the Ronda style partridge; the “migas”; or the “gazpacho a la serrana”. You will want to repeat.
In a way, it might be that slow travel was invented on lands like these in the province of Malaga. Those experiences of the romantic travellers of the nineteenth century are the testimony of a way of discovering places that goes well beyond the mere visit. Benjamin Disraeli, Richard Ford or Washington Irving starred in destinations such as Ronda personal journeys to a legendary world of feelings, history and customs. Now you can live these sensations yourself.
